Top Performing Stocks of 2025: Who Surprised the Market?

2025 isn’t over yet, but it’s already clear: for some investors, it’s been not just good — but spectacular. Some stocks climbed like champagne bubbles, others rocketed like one of Elon Musk’s launches. Let’s break down which stocks have delivered the highest returns in 2025 — and why they’re worth watching (or at least admiring from the sidelines).

Top Stocks of 2025 (so far):

1. Palantir Technologies (PLTR)

• YTD: +49%, Year-over-year: +477%
• Sector: AI, big data
• 📌Why it’s booming: government contracts, revenue growth, AI hype
  Palantir is like the nerd in the corner who suddenly became the life of the party. The AI boom put them on center stage.

2. NRG Energy (NRG)

• YTD growth: +74%
• Sector: Energy, electricity generation
• 📌Why it’s booming: expansion, successful mergers, stable dividends
  Think energy is boring? Check NRG’s chart. Then check your brokerage account. And cry a little.

3. GE Vernova (GEV)

• Yearly growth: +187%, 2025: +41%
• Sector: Green energy, turbines
• 📌Why it’s booming: eco-focus, support from US & EU
  It’s like General Electric on a vegan diet — lean, green, and seriously promising.

4. Axon Enterprise (AXON)

• Yearly growth: +166%
• Sector: Law enforcement tech (Tasers, bodycams)
• 📌Why it’s booming: strong demand for security, government contracts
  Axon turns “safety” into serious profit. Very American.

5. Howmet Aerospace (HWM)

• YTD (2025:): +52%, Yearly: +98%
• Sector: Aerospace components
• 📌Why it’s booming: travel rebound, aviation market recovery
  Post-pandemic turbulence is over — it’s cruising altitude from here.

💡 What’s trending?

1. AI & Tech: Still dominating

Nvidia, Palantir, Microsoft, Tesla, even MongoDB — all driving the market. Data, cloud, and machine learning are still hot.

2. Retail surprise: The COW pack leads

Costco, O’Reilly, Walmart (the COW ETF trio) show strong growth thanks to steady demand. No hype — just solid numbers and bakery-style reliability.

3. Energy is back in fashion

With global uncertainty, utility and energy stocks have become portfolio anchors once again.

🌍 International “Dark Horses”

• Regencell Bioscience (RGC) — over +11,000% YTD. No typo. But watch out — it’s crypto-level volatile.
• India’s stars — Reliance Power and Infra doubled, heating up Mumbai’s stock scene.

🧠 New to investing?

1. Don’t chase yesterday’s stars — stocks that have already risen 200–300% won’t always keep climbing.
2. Fundamentals > Hype — check earnings, debt, markets.
3. Diversify — one Palantir does not make a portfolio.
4. Risk is always around — volatility, regulations, pullbacks.

What should investors do?

✅Growth hunter? Check out AI, retail, energy — but mind your limits.

✅Stability lover? Stick to ETFs, dividend aristocrats, and utilities.

✅Just starting out? Buy 2–3 large, stable names or ETFs. Spice things up later as you gain confidence.